Grand Prix Driver Achille Varzi
Varzi was born August 8, 1904 in Galliate, Italy. His father was a wealthy textile manufacturer. Achille began his sports career racing motorcycles. He and the legendary Tazio Nuvolari were friends and Italian motorcycle stars at that time. They rarely raced against each other on the motorcycle tracks but they would become fierce competitors after they gave up motorcycles for car racing. In 1928 Varzi decided to give up motorcycles and race automobiles. Driving an Alfa Romeo, he won the Targa Florio in 1930 competing against the French driver, Louis Chiron. At the beginning of the last lap, Achille was leading however he was also running low on fuel. His mechanic tried to refuel the car in motion and spilled some petrol on the hot exhaust causing flames to flicker around the car. The flames came to Varzi's neck however Varzi kept on driving while shifting position so his mechanic could beat the flames out with a cushion. Although the flames were extinguished, Varzi had lost time. He revved up his engine until the counter was past the danger line and roared across the finish line ahead of the French driver. His wins for 1934 totaled six Grand Prix. During this time Varzi was competing with Tazio Nuvolari. In 1933 he was racing against Tazio the Monaco Grand Prix. At the end of the third lap, Varzi was in the lead with Nuvolari in second place. Every second or third lap the lead would change and at the end of the 98th lap they were running neck and neck. At the start of the 99th lap, Varzi edged ahead. A piston gave way on Nuvolari's car, spraying hot oil onto hot exhaust. Nuvolari jumped out and started to push. A mechanic, who was scared a fire would break out, rush onto the track to help Nuvolari. Nuvolari was then disqualified and Varzi won the race.
His illustrious career continued until 1936. This year Varzi won at Tripoli but then started having health problems. He became addicted to morphine and was involved in an affair with another driver's wife. He didn't race in 1937. World War II intervened and racing in Europe was on hold for the duration. During this time Varzi managed to overcome his drug problems. He also met and settled down with Norma Colombo, his new wife.
Then at the end of the war, Varzi made his comeback. He won three minor Grand Prix races in 1947. In 1948 he traveled to Argentina to race in the Buenos Aires Grand Prix. He was very popular with the Argentineans and thought about retiring there in the future. However, in 1948 while practicing for the Swiss Grand Prix, he skidded on a wet pavement, overturned his car and was crushed underneath it. Prior to his accident, the wearing of crash helmets had been optional for race drivers. Following his death, they were mandated by the FIA. Varzi was buried in his hometown. His coffin was mounted on a racecar chassis in the church and his friends kept a vigil for three days and nights. His funeral was attended by fifteen thousand people.
In 1991 Varzi was commemorated in a book entitled 'Una Curva Ciecaq - Vita di Achille Varzi', written by Giorgio Terruzzi.
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